Antenna



Feb. 20, 1951 v. TREBuLl-:s ET AL 2,542,884

ANTENNA Fi1`ed DeC. 14,. 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

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atenfed Feb. 210, 195

UNITED STATS PATENT FFIC ANTENNA Victor Trebuleaflevel'and, and Archibald Robert- SO, Jr., S ElCld, lii., 'lSSkigi-ITS' Th' Gabril Company, Cleveland, l'1`i'o,'i corporate tioli 0f Ohio Applicationpecemter 14, 1948,-senia1-No. 65,248

(C1. attent) i6 Claims. f 1

This inventiony relates to an antennaand particularly to an antenna of the dipole type especially adapted Ito be used with a small portable radio transmitter and/or receiver used for transmission and/or reception of horizontally polarized radio waves. r

An object of the invention is` to provide an antennay for a small portable radio transmitter and/or receiver and which antenna can be quickly attached in operative relationship to the transmitter and/or receiver `and includes movableantennaarms `which `can be moved to an extended operative position when the antenna is attached or'v `can be moved to a compact,V nonextended',A non-operative position when desiredY and in such latter position `are located closely together soV that the antenna is of relatively small size and conguration and can be easily and Yconveniently packed in a container or moved from place to place.-

further object is to provide an antenna. as referred to in the last named: object and which is so constructed that' the arms of the" antenna when moved thereto will be maintained their extended operative position or Iin: their non-extended, non-operative position.

' A further object is to provide an antenna as referred to in the previous objects andl wherein the vantenna arms are pivoted and: spring `means is vprovided to` maintainfsaid arms in either their extended operative position or in their non-ex tended non-operative position as the case may be.

A still further object is to provide an antenna as` specied in the previous objects and which is so constructed that the supporting velements for the= antenna armsI are compact, while said antenna arms when .in non-extended non-operative position extend parallel and closely ad jacent to said supporting elements, wherefore the whole antenna structure is compactpandcan-.be' readily and easily transported from place to place and when required can be quickly lcormeoted to the transmitter and/orreceiver andfits arms ek'- tended to operative position.

Another object of the invention in one 6f its aspects is to provide an antenna such alsV has been previously referred to and wherein the spring means for holding the antenna arms exe tended or non-extended alsofu'ncti'ons as the transmission Or lead-in line from thel antenna arms.

Another object o'f the invention in' anotherv of its aspects is to provide an antenna of the type referred to and wherein thesupporting elements' for the movable antenna arms function asf the 2t transmission ci" lead-in `line from' the' antenna arms to the transmitter and/or receiver.

A further and general Vobject is to provide an antenna of the character referred to which "is simple in construction, .may be economically and readily manufactured and is particularly adapted for its intended use with a portable radio transmitterA and/ or receiver.y u

Further and additional objects and advantages not liereinbeforereferred to will become apparent hereinafter during the detailed descrip:- tion of several embodiments of the invention which is to fol-low.

Referring to the accompanying drawings,

vl+"ig'. `1l is a perspective view showing onerforam of antenna embodying the inventiornwith the antenna applied; in operative position to a small portab-le radio transmitter and/or receiver and with the antenna arms exten-ded. V

Fig.. 2 is a vie-w on a larger scalevthan Fig. ,i and` shows the antenna in longitudinal section with certain parts in elevation `and with `the antenna `separate from the V`radio transmitter and/or receiver-,fone of the antenna arms` being shown-` extended in full lines and the other exg tended in vdot and dashilines and noneextended in `full lines.V Fig. 3` is" a .fragmentary plan view taken sub stantially fromv line 3-3 of Fig. 2- looking inthe direction-of the arrows.

Figs.- 4 and 5 are sectional views taken, 'ree spectively, on' 'linesf'lil` and. 5-51of Fig.` 2 looks ing in the directonoff ther-arrows.

Fig. 6l isf a longitudinal sectional view through an antenna embodying' the invention but differing in form from the antenna of .F.igs.-` `1` to' 5 inclusive; vthe an-tennaucn` Eig. 6 .being shown mounted inl operative position on Aa radio `transmitter and/or" receiver thati's indica-ted by dot anddash lines.

Fig. `'7 is a topi :plan view of: the antenna shown in Figi. .cwi-tn one of the-antenna arms shownin extt'ndedA position tire other' innert-extended position.

Figs. l 8 and 9 are1 partial longitudinalsectional v'iews taken; i'espectively,` on lines- 8=8 and 9&9 of Fig.. 7 looking in the `direction of the arrows'.

Fig. lO'is a transverse sectional view taken on line 'ISU-#|01 of Fig. 6 looking in the' ldirection of the arrows, and

Fig'.-` 11i isa viewv of awstiil different forni 'of antenna embodying the invention'an'd' is afpartial longitudiria'l'?` sectional view andl partial elevational View,l vv'trrtl'i4 antenna-farine shown o`IieX--r Vas the rivets I9.

tended position by full lines and in extended position by dot and dash lines, and

Fig. 12 is a plan view of the antenna shown in Fig. 11 and is taken from line I2-I2 of Fig. 11 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring rst to the antenna shown in Figs. l to 5 inclusive, a portable radio transmitter and/or receiver of the type referred to with which the antenna may be used is indicated at I5. This transmitter and/or receiver may be of any known small portable type provided it has a fitting or socket, to receive the plug pins of the antenna. The antenna comprises spaced pairs of parallel strips I6 formed of metal and with the strips of each pair spaced apart in a transverse direction to accommodate therebetween elongated spring members later to be referred to.

The strips I6 have their outer longitudinal edges outwardly ared as indicated at |1. The

outer or upper ends (as viewed in the drawings) of the strips I8 are interconnected by block I8 vformed of insulating material which may be a suitable plastic material. The block I8 extends between the strips I6 of each pair of strips and is secured imposition by any suitable means such The opposite ends of the block extend outwardly of the longitudinal edges of the strips |o` and are shown as curved while the under side of the block adjacent its opposite ends constitutes straight co-planular stop surfaces Ia, the purpose of which will soon become apparent. y

A pair of similar antenna arms 20 of suitable length and shown, in this instance, as rectangular in` cross-section are provided at their inner ends with'short angular portions 2| bent from the arms to extend substantially perp ndicular to the longitudinal axes of the arms. The short angular portions 2| of the arms are located between the strips I6 of each pair of strips and are pivotally connected to the strips by means of rivets 22 or other suitable means that extend through the strips I6 and the angular portions 2| and on which said portions and the arms 20 pivotally swing. The ant-nna arms .can be swung about the pivots 22 to an. extended operative position as indicated in one instance by full lines and in another instance by dot and dash lines in Fig. 2 and wherein the upper sides of the arms are in engagement with the co-planular stop surfaces la of the block I8 and thus the arms are located in their maximum extended yposition wherein they are longitudinally aligned and extend horizontally and substantially perpendicularly with respect to thev strips I5.

V'The antenna arms 20 can be swung on their pivots from the extended position referred to into a non-extended position wherein they are substantially parallel to the strips I6 and are located between the strips I6 of each pair of strips Vwith those portions of the arms adjacent their free ends being substantially housed between the strips and extending beyond or below the lower ends of the strips as viewed in the drawings. f kThe strips |6adjacent their lower ends are cut away on a curvature as indicated at 23 to facilitate the grasping of the free ends of the antenna arms 2D when it is desired toswing the arms from their non-extended toward their extended position. A

2 The elongated spring elements previously referred to will now be described. These elements are shown as located between the strips I6 of each pair of strips and as extending beyond the lower ends of the strips as viewed in Fig. 2. -Each spring element is secured in positionV between the strips I6 of each pair of strips and adjacent the lower ends of the strips by means of rivets 24. The spring elements also are rigidly connected with the strips of each pair of strips and between the same by rivets 25 substantially spaced from the rivets 24 and with the portions of the spring elements between the rivets 24 and 25 bowed as indicated at 26. The spring elements beyond the rivets 25 have spring end portions 21, the free ends of which portions 21 cooperate with the Vshort angular portions 2| of the antenna arms 20.

Referring to Fig. 2 and to the antenna arm 20 shown in its non-extended position by full lines, it will be noted that the portion 2l of the spring element bears against the free end of the angular portion 2| of the antenna arm and exerts aspring load or force thereon in a direction such as to rock the arm on the pivot 22 toward and to maintain it in its non-extended position until moved therefrom by a force suicient to overcome the action of the spring portion 2l.

Now by reference to the spring portion 2l that is shown in engagement with the angular portion v2| of the extended antenna arm 2B of Fig. -2, it will be noted that the spring portion 2l contacts a side of the portion 2| and exerts a force or spring load thereon acting to rock the arm on its pivot 22 toward and to .maintain it in 'its extended position and against the stop surface |8a of the block I8. In fact, in moving the antenna arm from its non-extended position to its ext-nded position the portion 2| of the arm will move in contact with and flex the spring portion 2l until the free end of the angular portion 2| passes out of contact therewith and the side of the portion 2| contacts the spring. As the antenna arm moves from non-extended position toward extended position it reaches a point where the spring portion 2 so acts on the portion 2| of the antenna arm as to continue under the force of the spring portion' the upward swinging or extended movement of the antenna arm until it abuts the surface |801, of' the block The pivots 22 for the antenna armsare so located and the spring portions 21 are so arranged and positioned with r.spect to the portions 2| of the antenna arms 20 that the spring portions 2I act on the portions 2`I in an oir-center manner such that the arms are maintained extended or non-extended by spring tension.

The spring elements are Shownas substantially rectangular in cross-section for -the major portion of their length. The spring elements below the rivets 24 and where they extend beyond the lower ends of the strips I6 have outwardly bowed portions 28 which terminate in straight rounded pin portions 29. The pin portions 29 extend through and are secured in an insulatingblock or disk 38 formed of suitable material as for instance plastic. The pin portions 29 of the spring elements below the disk or block 3S act as a con-'l necting plug for the ant'.nna and can be inserted into the receiving openings of a suitable socket or fitting 3| of the radio transmitting and/or receiving set, wherefore the spring elements will be connected to the circuit o f the set and said elements act as the transmission or lead-in line from the antennararms whichv are in electrical contact with the spring elements due to the spring pressure contact of the portions 21 of the elements against the angular portions 2| of the antenna arms. j

it will be seen that when the antenna amis are extended as' indicatedj in Fig. 1l and theZ ari-s tennaisl connected to the radio set bij the/'inserts tiorr of' the pin portions' 29 into the sockety oi!V tting 3 then the radio arms constitute straight dipoles insulated from each other and connected to the set circuit by" the spring elements.`

It will be noted that the antenna can bez quickly connected to the set by inserti-ng. the pin portions 29I into the socket or fitting 3|,- afte'i" which the'h antenna arms canbe easilyA swung from. their non-extended position to their extended position; and heldv in suon position. under spring tension..

Itwill also be observed that` the antenna arms: maybe swung` easily and quickly from extended position into: non-.extended position wherein they' are maintained under spring tension until again'- lrllafly" lil-lovedA front suoli; positioli.

Whenthe antenna arms are# in. non-extended position they are: substantially housed? between the pairs ofsstrips is and'. the'. antenna presents a. compact structurer which. may be rleadily re-V moved or disconnected from the setby diS'enga'g-e ing the pinportions 2.51 from the socket or fitting 3|. may be readily .handledA and. transported due to its compact size.

. The form` of antenna construction embodying? the` invention and: shown in Figs. 6 to` lo inclusive will. now be described. In this form of construe-f'- tion thev antenna comprises two parallel. metal spaced tubes or. supporting elements 32. tubes are heldinproper spaced relation'and' electrically insulated. trom" each other by means of an` insulator block. 33 formed of `any suitable material as. for instance, plastic material'. The block 33 is provided with4 parallel boresor openings through which extend the tubes 342.. The block 33. isy located substantiallv inidiiiavv oi'` the ends of the tubesA 32` and. the. tubesfaresecured in4 position in the block bores'or openings by suitable means, such as the set screws' 34.

The lower ends ofA the tubes 32, as viewed in Fig. 6,` have mounted therein end plugs 35' which are provided. with pins 3hr for insertion'I into the .socket or tting 3| of the set- |15.- I".Cl'l'e end 1Jlx`J`.-fjsl 35 are provided vwith annular grooves 3l. and are secured in position in the ends of the tubes `32` by rolling portions `38 of the tubes into the grooves 31.

The tubes 32 bevond the insulator block 33.' mount spring abutment plugs 39 which` are shown as secured in position inthe tubes by rolling the latter into grooves formed inthe circumference's' of the plugs 39 although it will beil understood that the plugs might be secured in positioninl the tubes in other ways.

Coil springs 4t are mounted the tubes 32` and abut the plugs 3'9 and blocks 4| which slide in the tubes in electrical contact therewith and are formed ot suitable electrically conductive material. The outer ends of the tubesas viewed i-n Fig. 6 are provided with caps' 42 that closefthe ends of the tubes 32 and: extend into saidA tubes and. are provided on their inner ends with a longitudinally extending slot 43 that in effect produces forked portions. on the inner ends of the caps. The caps 42y are secured in position in the tubes 32 by suitable means such as the rivets or pins 44. The caps 42A preferably are formed of suitable electrically conductive material. such as brass or theV like, and are there# fore electricallyv connected' tothe tubes 32'.

Angle shaped cam members -45 are located in the slots 4s of the caps 42 and are pivotally con'- When the antenna is thus disconnected itY rrectedf toi the forked portions onA the inner ends of the caps-byfmeansof pivotpinsllc' that extend tl-irzfiugnv the fines of said forked portions and through `the carri'l members 45.

The cam members 45 project outwardly of the tubes 32 through slots 41 formed in said tubes and aligned with the slots 43 in the caps 42. The free ends of theY Ls`haped cam members are ofA reduced 'cross-sectional area and extend into the ends? of tubular antenna arms 48 and are permanently secured in the ends of suon antennaarrnsby 'suitablemeans such as by' solder.

The cam members-45 have curved end surfaces 4505 which when the antennal arms are in extended position have their high poi-nts in engagement with the slidable block 4| as clearly indicated in Fig'. 9. When the antenna arms 48 are in nomextended position, the said curved surfasy 45a; contact the interiors of the tubes 32' indicated in The camniembe'rs' 4 also are provided with inclined` surfaces 45h which join the surfacesr 45d to form the high point of the can-'1 members. When the antenna arms are extended `the sliding blocks t! engage the cam members-e5 at the junctions of the surfaces? 45a; and 4512,v i. e., the high points of the car-'ris and the action of the springs 4|) on the blocks 4| maintains theY antenna arms in lex'- telflllied position with the straight surfaces 45e andi 45d of the cam members 45- iny engagement, respectively, with the interiors of the tubes 32 and With the caps 42 at the base of theV slots 43. Atti/iis' time the antenna arms are in horizontal position: and are maintained in suoli position by trieaction of thel springs' 4t.

When the antenna arins are swung from the position' shown in Fig. 9 toward the position shown in Fig'. 8 the curved surfaces 45a of the carri` members 45. depress the sliding plugs 4| against the action of the springs 4t until the junctions between the surfaces 45a and ebb are reached,l and? thereafter the continued downward swinging' Vnioverrlent ofthe antenna arms causes the 'surfaces 45a to move out of contact with the sliding plugs 4| and the surfaces 45o to come into` Contact therewith, with the result that' the spring' pressed sliding plugs acting on the high D'zin't'sof tlf Surfaces 451i Complete the downward swinging movement of vthe antenna arnis andv Maintain the saine in the position shown in Fig. 8.

the antenna construction illustrated in Figs. 6 to 1'()l inclusive it will be seen that the antenna arms 48 are maintained under spring tension in either their extended or non-extended position, due to the action of the sliding spring pressed plugs 41| on the pivoted cam members 45 which are connected to the antenna arms and in effect form parts thereof'. inasmuchas the antenna arms and# cam members 45 are electrically con ne'c'ted to the tubes 32 and the latter are elecu trically connected to the. plugs' 35? the said tubesA act ass the lead-in line for' the antenna. It will be seen! that' this form of construction similar to the previously' described form has the attributes of compactness, simplicity, ease of connection to the radio set and facility in moving the antenna arms of the same from non-extended position to extended position and Vice versa.

. The form of antenna. construction embodying the invention and` shownV in Figs.- 11 and 12 will now be described.. This construction comprises spaced' parallel metal tubes 49 which extend through parallel openings formed in a spacer and 15 insulatingblock Y5|! or suitable material asl for amassed socket or iitting 3l of the radio set l5. The plugs 53 are secured in the-tubes 49 by rolling the tubes into annular grooves formed in the plugs intermediate the ends of the latter.

The tubes are open at their opposite or outer ends and are provided with longitudinally extending slots 55 and through which slots may project one of the arms of L-'shaped members 58. The inner ends of these arms of the L-shaped members are pivoted to the tubes 49 on pivot pins '59 mounted inthe tubesjust below their open outer ends and extending through the arms of the L-shaped members. The other arms of the L-shaped members 58 are secured to the inner ends of tubular antenna arms 60 and similar to the tubular antenna arms 68 previously described. f

MountedV in the open or outer ends of the tubes 49 are half round or bowed springs 6I which project through the slots 55 of the tubes when the antenna arms 6B are inV non-extended position and have one end connected to pins 62 carried by the tubes 49 and the other end to pins 63 located at the junction of the two arms of the members 58. Because of the distance between the pins 62 and E33 being greater than the distance represented by a line passing from the pins 62 through the pivot pins 59 and a point on the arc through which the pins 63 travel during the movements of the arms, it will be apparent that the springs 6i always have a tendency to maintain the antenna arms under spring tension inl either arm extended position as indicated by dot and dash lines in Fig. ll or in non-extended position as indicated by full lines in said iigure.

The movement of the antenna arms to extended position is limited by stop pins 64 carried by the tubes. t9 and to non-extended position by stop' pins65 also carried by the tubes. The pins'64 are so located that the antenna arms Will vbe maintained under spring load in horizontally extended position while the pins 65 are so located that the form embodying the invention and shown in Figs. ll and 12 possesses the advantages stated before Ywith respect to the previously described forms in that theantenna arms are held in ex- Y Y Having thus described our invention, we claim:

l l. An antenna of the character described comprising rigid supporting elements, mtans mechanically interconnecting said elements in' spaced iixed parallel relationship but electrically insulating them from each other, antenna .arms including angular portions, means pivotally connecting said angular portions to said elements whereby said arms may be swung to an extended position wherein they are substantially horizontal and perpendicular to said elements or to a nonextended position wherein they are located closely adjacent and substantially parallel to said elements, spring means carried by said elements and operatively associated with saidrangular portions of said arms and acting to maintain the arms in either extended or non-extended position under spring load, and means operatively associated withV said elements and electrically connected to said arms for connecting the antenna to a radio in there is a pair of said-supporting elements each i of which has an antenna arm pivotally connected thereto adjacent the outer end of the elements while means is operatively associated with each element for separately and electrically connecting the arm carried by each element to the radio set.

Y 3. An'antenna as dened in claim 1 and wherein each of said supporting elements is provided with stop means engageable by a respective antenna arm when in extended substantially horizontal position, said spring means acting to maintain said arm in engagement with said stop means. 4. An antenna as defined in claim 3 and wherein said supporting elements each includes a pair of spaced parallel strips, while said antenna arms have end portions extending between the strips of said elements adjacent the outer ends thereof,Y

,' tive elements, said spring means carried by said in said end portions of said arms are angularly disposed with respect to the arms and are pivotally connected to said pairs of strips forming the supporting elements intermediate the ends of said portions while said spring means act onv a side of said end portions to maintain the arms in4 extended position `and on the free ends of said end portions to maintain the arms in the nonextended position. Y

' 6. An antenna as dened in claim 4 and where in the means which mechanically interconnects said elements and said strips includes an insulating block extending between the strips of each element and secured thereto and having its inner surface located to act as a planular stop surface engageable by said arms when inl extended position.

7. An antenna as deined in claim 4 and wherein said spring means includes elongated bars one of which is located between said pairs of strips of each of said elements and is Vsecured thereto intermediate the ends, the outer and free ends of its bars constituting spring arms acting on said end portions of said antenna arms, said bars at their otherends extending beyond said strips and being provided withl pin portions adapted to be inserted in a suitable socket of a radio set to electrically connect the antenna to said set, and an insulating member mounted on said pin portions and maintaining the same in spaced parallel rigid relationship.

8. An antenna oi the character described cornprising a pair of tubes of electrically conductive material and provided at one end with means for connecting the tubes to a radio set and at the other end with longitudinally extending slots, a member mounted on said tubes and formed of insulating material and maintaining said tubes in spaced parallel relationship, antenna arms having angular portions movable in said tube slots, means vpivotally connecting said angular portions to said tubes so that said arms can swing to an extended position wherein they are substantially horizontal and perpendicular to said tubes or to a non-extended position wherein they are located closely adjacent to said tubes, and spring means carried by said tubes and operatively associated with said angular portions of said arms and acting to maintain said arms in either extended or non-extended position under spring tension.

9. An antenna as defined in claim 8 and wherein said tubes are provided with stop means engageable by said arms when in extended position.

10. An antenna as defined in claim 8 and wherein said spring means include blocks slidable in said tubes and formed of electrically conductive material and engageable with said angular portions of said antenna arms, and springs insaid tubes and acting on said slidable blocks to maintain the latter always in engagement with said angular portions under spring load.

11. An antenna as dei-ined in claim S and wherein said tubes have electrically conductive blocks slidable therein and engageable with said angular portions of said antenna arms, plugs ixedly mounted in said tubes in spaced relation to said slidable blocks, and coil springs in said tubes intermediate said plugs and said blocks and acting to maintain the latter in engagement under spring tension with said angular portions.

12. An antenna as defined in claim 8 and wherein said angular portions of said antenna arms are provided with camming surfaces, while said tubes mount blocks slidable therein, and springs maintaining said blocks at all times in contact with said camming surfaces under spring load.

13. An antenna as dened in claim 8 and wherein said tubes at their slotted ends have secured therein cap members extending into the tubes and provided with forked portions with the space between the tines of the fork aligned with said slots, and wherein said angular portions of said antenna arms are pivoted to said forked portions between the tines thereof while said tubes slidably mount blocks, and springs acting on said blocks to maintain the latter a1- ways in contact under spring tension with said angular portions, said end caps cooperating with said angular portions to locate said arms in extended substantially horizontal position.

14. An antenna as defined in claim 8 and wherein said tubes at their slotted ends are open While said angular portions of said antenna arms extend through the slots in said tubes when said arms are in non-extended position and through the open ends of said tubes when said arms are in extended position.

15. An antenna as defined in claim le and wherein said tubes mount bowed springs one end of which is iixed to said tubes and the other end of which is fixed to said arms at the junction of the angular portions, while said means which pivotally connects the arms to the tubes is located` adjacent the free ends of said angular portions.

16. An antenna of the character described comprising a Pair of rigid supporting elements, means mechanically interconnecting said elements in spaced xed parallel relationship but electrically insulating them from each other, antenna arms including angular portions, means pivotally connecting said angular portions to said elements adjacent one end of the latter whereby said arms may be swung to an extended position wherein they are substantially horizontal and perpendicular to said elements or to a non-extended position wherein they are located closely adjacent and substantially parallel to said elements, spring means carried by said elements and operatively associated with said angular portions of said arms and acting to maintain the arms in either extended or nonextended position under spring load, and means operatively associated with said elements and electrically connected to said arms for connecting the antenna to a radio set and including a pair of pins with each pin iixedly secured to a respective element at the end thereof opposite to said rst mentioned end of the element, said pins being adapted to be removably inserted in the sockets oi a itting carried by a radio set.

VICTOR TREBU'LES. ARCHIBALD ROBERTSON, JR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record .in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,701,666 Diener Feb. 121, i929 2,259,628 Fener Oct. 21, 1941 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Bate 495,019 Great Britain Nov. 4, 1938 

